HUNDREDS JOIN RALLY, FOR PEACE IN GULF

LAKE WORTH -- Neil Westbrook and his mother, Betty Kane, are afraid of what tomorrow will bring when the United Nations' deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait arrives.

Westbrook, at a peace rally on Sunday attended by more than 500 people at Bryant Park, held a placard that read: "I turned 20 last week. I'm not ready to die."

Kane, wearing a peace-symbol button on her tie-dyed shirt, also carried a sign to let her feelings be known. "Blood is more precious than oil," it read.

Westbrook of Pompano Beach said he, his older brother and their friends are facing the possibility of being drafted if the United States enters into war with Iraq.

"My sign, basically, says the way I feel," Westbrook said, pushing his blond, shoulder-length hair from his eyes. "I'm just pretty scared."

Kane, celebrating her 39th birthday on Sunday, said she attended the rally sponsored by the Palm Beach County Committee for Social Responsibility because she fears for this country's youth if war breaks out in the Persian Gulf.

"I just feel our youths' blood is more precious than any other argument they've come up with for this war," Kane said. "If they had spent as much time as I have raising two sons on developing alternative energy, then we wouldn't be in this mess."

Westbrook's and Kane's sentiments were repeated throughout the day at the rally. Many who attended were members of 20 local anti-war groups.

Those attending the rally did so peacefully.

Unlike rallies in the 1960s, usually dominated by youthful anti-war protesters, Sunday's rally attracted all ages. But there were similarities: peace symbols, the wish for peace and a few tie-dyed T-shirts worn by some in the crowd.

Speakers at the rally urged everyone to write or telephone elected officials in Washington to let them know they do not want to see this country go to war. They lambasted President Bush for seeking a resolution from Congress supporting military action in the Persian Gulf, arguing that the lives of young soldiers could be spared if economic sanctions were given more time to work.

"We the people must stop this rush to war," Abe Feldman, a member of Delray Citizens for Social Responsibility, told the cheering crowd. "We must stop this madness."

Larry Norton, 37, of Lake Worth, attended the rally with his daughter, Natalie, 5, who carried a sign calling for peace. Norton said he was participating in the rally because the "administration's present policies in the Gulf are wrong."

Boca Raton residents Donna and Bernie Duven sat on a blanket and listened to rally speakers throughout the afternoon.

"I'm here to be another person counted to show I'm for the (economic) sanctions and against the war," Donna Duven said.

"I'm here for peace," Bernie Duven said.

Asked if he thought war was inevitable, Bernie Deven said: "I'm afraid they got it geared up for war. It's a two-bullies-in-a-schoolyard situation right now, and they're going to duke it out."

PEACE PROGRAMS

Demonstrations in the county this month:

The Peace Coalition Against Intervention

- WHAT: Showing of the video Crisis in the Gulf.

- WHEN: Today, 6:45 p.m.

- WHERE: Palm Springs Library, 217 Cypress Lane, Palm Springs.

- FOR INFORMATION: Call the library at 965-2204.

Delray Citizens for Social Responsibility

- WHAT: Peace lecture and discussion titled "Jan. 15, Then What?"

- WHEN: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

- WHERE: Temple Beth Emeth, 5780 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach.

- FOR INFORMATION: Call Augusta Brown at 498-1309.

Palm Beach County Coalition for World Peace;The Women's International League for Peace

- WHAT: Peace and Freedom Vigil.

- WHEN: Jan. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- WHERE: Outside the Palm Beach Mall in West Palm Beach, between the west and main entrances.